Dean Ashton is on England duty and whufc.com has put together a series of photos from training sessions
25.05.2008
Dean Ashton is training hard with England ahead of their Wednesday night friendly against the United States at Wembley and whufc.com was there to see him in action.
Check out our exclusive picture gallery of the 24-year-old in action with the rest of Fabio Capello's squad and the manager's words will have raised hopes that Ashton is in line for his first cap either against the US or away to Trinidad and Tobago on 1 June. No other striker in the party is in the same form as Ashton, after he hit five goals in his last eight games with West Ham United to end the 2007/08 domestic club campaign in emphatic style.
Speaking to theFA.com, Capello said: "When a player puts on the England shirt you have to play with a certain kind of spirit and that is very important. I will play the first eleven who I think are the best players at the moment. Against USA I want to see one team playing like a group, with courage, and strong. It is very important for me to recover the spirit of the England team."
Ashton has twice been in England squads before - a friendly against Greece in August 2006 and then for European Championship qualifiers against Estonia and Russia last October - only for injury to end his chances on both occasions. There is further optimism the fully-fit former Under-21 forward could make the senior step-up with Michael Owen having to withdraw because of a virus. whufc.com will have full coverage of Ashton's week and will also keep you up to date with Jack Collison's progress with Wales and England U19 duo James Tomkins and Freddie Sears.
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Tomka and Sears ready - WHUFC
James Tomkins and Freddie Sears could both be in action on Monday in a vital England U19 qualifier
25.05.2008
James Tomkins and Freddie Sears will be in action on Monday morning as England look to make it to the European Under-19 Championship finals this July.
The Young Lions are in Belarus for a four-nation Group 1 mini-tournament, one of seven sections, that will see the winners head to the Czech Republic later this summer for the eight-team final round. England are up against Poland first in Borisov at 12.30pm local time (11.30am London time) on Monday before meeting Serbia in the same venue on Wednesday at 12.30pm. The qualifying campaign will end against Belarus in the capital Minsk at 3pm this Saturday.
Tomkins, 19, and Sears, 18, have both featured for Brian Eastick's side in recent months although the former is the only certain starter - having forged a formidable partnership with Aston Villa centre-back Ciaran Clark at the heart of the defence. Sears has twice come off the bench for his country but has caught the eye of the coach and could prove pivotal in what is expected to be a tight qualifying group where chances will be few and far between.
The homegrown striker said: "I am really proud to play for my country and it is great to be involved. It will finish off a great season for me. Me and Tomka are going to be doing our best to get to the finals. We will do our best to represent the club." Should England get through, then the final tournament will take place between 14 and 26 July, and the already qualified host nation Czech Republic could also include West Ham United goalkeeper Marek Stech in their lineup. As ever, whufc.com will be the place to be for all the action and reaction.
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West Ham star Ashton hoping to stay injury-free as he eyes his long-awaited England debut - Daily Mail
By Matt Barlow
Last updated at 10:34 PM on 25th May 2008
Do not stand too close to Dean Ashton during the next seven days. When an England debut beckons for the West Ham striker, disaster usually strikes.
It is almost two years since Ashton suffered a badly broken ankle on the eve of what would have been his first full international cap in a friendly against Greece, in Steve McClaren's first game as national team manager. McClaren called him back into the squad when he finally regained his fitness for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia last October but then a medial ligament tear ruled the centre forward out for another six weeks. This time the call comes from Fabio Capello and Michael Owen's absence means another chance looms for Ashton in this week's friendlies against the USA and Trinidad and Tobago. West Ham executives will meet the player's representatives tomorrow for the second round of talks to extend a contract which expires next year. The Ashton camp believes he should be among the highest paid players at Upton Park, something which would catapult him into the £65,000-a-week and above category, and England recognition can only strengthen that argument.
The Hammers, however, are determined to cut their spending this summer and are reluctant to fuel another round of inflation at the club. The West Ham striker is only 24 but it is easy to be sucked into the trap of what might have been. This time two years ago he seemed to be on an unstoppable upward curve. Ashton is an imposing centre forward from the old mould, with great presence and aerial power but when he is on song, there is also a hint of Teddy Sheringham about him - perceptive, with a subtle touch and good appreciation of team-mates. He helped the Hammers to within seconds of an FA Cup Final shock against Liverpool. And Ashton is entitled to wonder with hindsight why he did not feature in Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad in 2006. McClaren can also look back with some regret, having managed England during a time when strikers were in short supply. So can Alan Pardew, who was fired from Upton Park four months after Ashton broke his ankle. What seemed like an innocuous challenge by Shaun Wright-Phillips in an England training session had a serious impact on his ankle. Soon into the recovery process, it became clear that the initial prediction of a six-month lay-off had been far too optimistic.
The range of pressures and mobility in the ankle made it harder to overcome than a similar break further up the shin. As West Ham adopted the brace position for relegation and the Carlos Tevez legal battle, Ashton knuckled down to continue his recovery. When he regained fitness to score in a pre-season friendly against Roma last summer, Ashton confessed there had been 'dark days'. "I was struggling through, not able to walk and, when I came back to training, I wasn't the best," he said. "I've seen a different side to football and I'll never ever take it for granted again."
The birth of his son Ethan at the end of August was one of the things which helped him through. "I was depressed and low and wasn't enjoying myself," said Ashton. "But, at the same time, things at home were good and there are a lot worse things going on than my injury. "I was positive but it's very hard when you're on your own training, working hard long days."
Since his return from the knee problem in December, Ashton has been injury-free but doubts have hung in the air, mainly because West Ham boss Alan Curbishley regularly left him out. Curbishley's occasional preference for Carlton Cole suggested the more muscular, post-injury Ashton no longer possessed the mobility to play alone up front, although his game ought to be ideally suited to such a role. This is the reason Capello is attracted to Ashton. The England manager likes a system with a centre forward supported from the flanks by two flyers and a creative mind in the central hole. Surrounded by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard, or assisted by the raw pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young, Ashton's talents should thrive. The West Ham striker can be England's pivot. This is why he will eventually win an England cap. This is why he is praying for a week free from disaster.
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West Ham To Move For Johnson? - Goal.com
Everton striker Andy Johnson could be set for a change of scene this summer, as West Ham are reportedly keen to secure his signature… The 27-year-old initially impressed after his ₤8.6 million move from Crystal Palace in 2006, scoring 10 goals in 26 appearances and earning a recall to the England national team. But the former Birmingham hitman found opportunities limited this season, as Toffees boss David Moyes generally preferred a 4-4-1-1 system with Aiyegbini Yakubu playing as the lone striker. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is in need of forward reinforcements, as Henri Camara will return to Wigan after an indifferent loan-spell, while star targetman Dean Ashton has attracted strong interest from Tottenham and Manchester United. Combined with Craig Bellamy's failure to make an impact after moving from Liverpool last summer and Cartlon Cole's chronic inconsistency, the Hammers could find themselves thin up front if they do not move quickly in the transfer market. The east London outfit are reportedly lining up an ₤8 million offer for Johnson, but with Sunderland and Middlesbrough also keen on the former Luton youth, Curbishley could find himself in a bidding war with Roy Keane and Gareth Southgate.
Mike Maguire
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Lucas Neill not a central defender - news.com.au
May 26, 2008 12:00am
CRAIG Moore says Australia must improve its depth in the centre of the defence to allow Lucas Neill to play in his most suitable position: right full back.
Neill was not named in the 34-man squad for Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Brisbane because his wife is due to give birth. The West Ham skipper's absence should again allow Newcastle Jets star Jade North and German-based Michael Beauchamp to team up in the heart of the Socceroos defence, with other options including Olyroo captain Mark Milligan, Melbourne Victory's Rodrigo Vargas and young gun Matthew Spiranovic. Moore, who with Neill was the base of Australia's defence at the 2006 World Cup finals, said North had proved he was up to the task, but questioned why no one else was demanding a central defensive spot. "I still think we need another central defender to come through because Lucas Neill, in a flat back four, is not an out-and-out centre half," Moore said. "He doesn't play there for his club. He's a right full back. If you are going to play him at the centre at the back, he's better as a spare man rather than someone picking up, because that's not his experience. Lucas is a player that can break out of the defence."
Moore is watching with interest the emergence of Spiranovic, Beauchamp's Nuremberg teammate who made his Socceroo debut in Friday's 1-0 win against Ghana in Sydney. "I'm hearing plenty of things about Spiranovic," Moore said.
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Hammers set to open the bidding for Toffees forward? - Guardian Series
WEST Ham are set to open the bidding for Everton striker Andy Johnson, according to media sources. The Irons had a £15 million bid for the pacy 27-year-old turned down by the Toffess last summer. But The News of the World reckons the east Londoners are ready to test Everton's resolve again with an opening bid of around £8 million for the forme r Crystal Palace man. Johnson regularly had to settle for a place on the bench at Everton last season, but still managed to score ten goals. However, he only recently put pen to paper on a new deal at Goodison Park and has insisted that he is happy at the Merseyside club.
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Hammers in pole position to sign ex-Spurs star - Guardian Series
WEST Ham are in pole position to bring defender Stephen Carr back to London, according to media reports. The former Spurs right back has been released by Newcastle after making just 12 appearances for the Toon this season. Everton and Aston Villa are said to be interested in signing the former Republic of Ireland international, with Toffees boss David Moyes ready to offer big wages to lure the 31-year-old to Goodison Park, says the News of the World. But Carr - who made 270 appearances for Spurs before a £2 million move to Newcastle in 2004 - is said to prefer a return to London. Should he end up with the east Londoners, he would provide stiff competition for Irons skipper Lucas Neill.
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Hammers to run the rule over talented American youngster - Guardian Series
WEST Ham are among a host of Premier League clubs believed to be keeping tabs on American international midfielder Michael Bradley. The 20-year-old currently plys his trade at Heerenveen, where he has scored 19 goals in 59 appearances during three seasons with Ducth outfit. He can operate as a defensive or attacking midfielder. And, according to the Daily Express, Everton, Blackburn, Sunderland and the Hammers are set to run the rule over the talented youngster during the USA's friendly with England at Wembley on Wednesday.
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West Ham make offer for Everton striker Johnson
tribalfooball.com - May 25, 2008
West Ham are reportedly ready to spark a bidding war for Everton's Andy Johnson by putting an £8million offer on the table at Goodison Park. The 27-year-old, who cost the Toffees £8.6million when he arrived from Crystal Palace in 2006, netted 10 goals in 26 appearances last season. But he finds himself behind Aiyegbeni Yakubu in the pecking order, with boss David Moyes often preferring to play with just a lone striker. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has seen Henri Camara return to Wigan following a disappointing season-long loan spell, and could struggle to hang on to star striker Dean Ashton this summer.
But if he lodges a bid for Johnson, it is likely to stir North-East duo Middlesbrough and Sunderland into action, as both Gareth Southgate and Roy Keane have been linked with the former Birmingham hitman.
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West Ham's Sears delighted with England U19 chance
tribalfooball.com - May 25, 2008
West Ham pair James Tomkins and Freddie Sears are expected to play for England U19 today against Poland in a European Championship qualifier.
Hammers striker Sears told whufc.com: "I am really proud to play for my country and it is great to be involved. It will finish off a great season for me. Me and Tomka are going to be doing our best to get to the finals. We will do our best to represent the club."
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Ashton minders set for crunch West Ham talks today
tribalfooball.com - May 25, 2008
Dean Ashton's minders are set for crunch talks today with West Ham United over a new contract. West Ham executives will meet the player's representatives or the second round of talks to extend a contract which expires next year. The Ashton camp believes he should be among the highest paid players at Upton Park, something which would catapult him into the £65,000-a-week and above category, and England recognition can only strengthen that argument. The Hammers, however, are determined to cut their spending this summer and are reluctant to fuel another round of inflation at the club, says the Mail on Sunday.
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Sunderland move for West Ham fullback McCartney
tribalfootball.com - May 25, 2008
Sunderland boss Roy Keane wants to bring George McCartney back to the club. Sunderland lack strength in depth in that position and the possible signing of Reading's Nicky Shorey by West Ham will allow McCartney to return to the Stadium of Light.
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